RUSA Guidelines for Establishing Local History Collections

Developed by the Local History Committee of the History Section, Reference and Adult Services Association, American Library Association, June 1979. Reaffirmed by the Reference and Adult Services Division Board of Directors, January 1993. Revised 2005, and approved January 2006 by the Reference and User Services Association Board of Directors. [Revised, approved by History Section Executive Committee, and sent to RUSA Standards and Guidelines Committee (March 2012).] Revised and approved by RUSA Board, May 2012.

Introduction

These guidelines are intended to assist librarians in establishing local history collections. In surveying the literature about the collecting of local materials it is apparent that many have already written about the use and the maintenance of the various media employed in local history.

Guidelines

1.0 Considerations before making a commitment to developing a local history collection

1.1 Research and understand the history that is unique to the locality.

1.2 Establish and maintain a dialog between local institutions (museums, academic libraries, local archives), societies (both genealogical and historical), and agencies (county, city, and state). Consider what is currently being collected, what services are needed, to what depth such collections are being developed, and what collaborative or cooperative agreements are needed. Determine the most suitable repository for particular materials with respect to use, dissemination, and preservation.

2.0 Scope and Services of the Collection

2.1 Identify the focus and depth of the collection. Limiting factors may include geography, format, and space within the repository.

2.2 Identify the range of services that will be provided, onsite and remotely.

3.0 Collection Development

3.1 Write an acquisitions policy for collecting local history materials.

3.2 State the intended geographic collection area.

3.3 Describe those materials desired by the institution and the extent to which they will be collected.

3.4 Describe the formats to be collected.

3.5 Identify the types of materials that will not be collected by the institution. Other institutions may be better equipped to handle a given type of material. Some items may not be accepted due to preservation issues.

3.6 Identify those subject areas which will be acquired only on a cooperative basis.